KSRTC free travel scheme triggers private bus crisis; 250 services in Idukki may be suspended

Adimali: Less than two weeks after Kerala rolled out free bus travel for women on KSRTC's Priyadarshini services, private bus operators in Idukki are warning of a growing crisis. Claiming a sharp fall in passenger numbers and mounting daily losses, they are considering suspending nearly 250 bus services across the district.

According to the district unit of the Private Bus Operators Association, women passengers who previously relied on private buses are increasingly choosing the free KSRTC services, leaving many private operators struggling to remain viable.

To deal with the situation, bus owners are preparing to submit G-Forms, a provision that allows operators to temporarily withdraw vehicles from service after notifying transport authorities in advance. If implemented, around 250 buses could be taken off the roads for a fixed period.

Idukki has nearly 2,000 private buses operating on various routes. Operators estimate that more than half of these services have been affected by the drop in ridership, with nearly 60 per cent reportedly running at a loss since the introduction of the Priyadarshini scheme.

Bus owners say the impact has been particularly severe on routes where KSRTC services operate frequently. The Ernakulam-Munnar corridor, one of the busiest tourist and commuter routes in the region, has emerged as a major concern. ‘Priyadarshini’ buses reportedly run at short intervals on the route, drawing a large share of passengers away from private services.

Several other routes are also witnessing declining occupancy levels, including Thodupuzha-Vannappuram-Cheruthoni, Rajakkad-Nedumkandam, Kumily-Ernakulam, Kumily-Kottayam, Adimali-Munnar and Cheruthoni-Adimali.

Operators claim that many buses now begin their trips from major stands with barely 10 to 15 passengers on board, making it difficult to cover expenses.

According to bus owners, daily losses have reached between ₹3,000 and ₹4,000 per vehicle. They argue that even though the government has reduced motor vehicle tax by 50 per cent, the relief is not enough to offset the revenue decline.

The tax concession offers little benefit when buses are running nearly empty, operators say, pointing to the widening gap between operating costs and earnings.

The association is expected to convene an emergency meeting in the coming days to assess the situation and decide whether to proceed with the suspension plan.

Free travel beyond Kerala borders? Here's what happens on Tamil Nadu routes

Private operators have also raised concerns about interstate services. They point out that women travelling on Kerala's Priyadarshini buses continue to enjoy free travel even when the buses enter neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Munnar depot currently operates four such services into Tamil Nadu, while similar operations are run from Kumily.

Bus owners argue that the arrangement places private operators at a further disadvantage. They note that women travelling on Tamil Nadu government buses do not receive free travel benefits once those services cross into Kerala.